From ‘Idol’ to Winter Jam: Jason Castro performs tonight at the Tupelo arena

Jason Castro has been a busy man since he finished fourth place in the seventh season of “American Idol.”
He’s gotten married, become a dad and has released two albums, most recently “Only a Mountain,” in January.
“It’s very much a snapshot of the last few years of my life. I write from really personal experiences. I’ve gotten married and had a daughter, and faced all kinds of life challenges,” he said in a phone interview with the Daily Journal.
Now he’s on the road with the Christian music festival Winter Jam.
“It’s really spectacular,” he said. “I think part of the stuff that draws crowds is diversity of the music, and that translates backstage as well.”
The singer-songwriter is joined by fellow singer-songwriters like Jamie Grace, but the line-up also includes Christian rock artists like Red.
“We’re such a diverse group that it makes for a cool atmosphere,” he said. “We’re all very different but at the core of it all we’re all there on the same mission, and we all bond with that.”
After Winter Jam, Castro will go on tour with Sidewalk Prophets, to promote his new album.
Though “Only a Mountain” documents his life as he made major life changes, it’s an upbeat, joyful record.
“That was the goal, was to write an album that was a testimony to God in my life,” he said.
Fans can expect to hear tunes from that album when he performs at Winter Jam tonight.
“Later in the night I might sing one of my old ‘American Idol’ songs,” he said.
Winter Jam is for all Christian music fans, whether they like Castro’s folky singer-songwriter sounds or want to rock out.
“It’s an unbelievable night. Nowhere else can you see as many bands and see thousands of people,” Castro said. “It’s a beautiful time.”
sheena.barnett@journalinc.com

EXTRA: Last year Winter Jam sold out quickly: More than 3,000 fans didn’t make it inside
and had to be turned
away. Get to the Bancorp-
South Arena early to secure
your spot. Tickets are only
sold at the door and not in
advance.